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Tuesday, 23 August 2011
Page: 5191

Broadband

Senator POLLEY (Tasmania—Deputy Government Whip in the Senate) (15:01): My question is to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy. Can the minister advise the Senate on some of the benefits to the economy as a result of the rollout of the National Broadband Network?

Senator CONROY (Victoria—Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity) (15:01): I thank the good senator for her question. The Gillard government's continued commitment to build the National Broadband Network will provide Australians with the key enabling infrastructure for a modern digital economy. As the biggest infrastructure investment in Australia's history, the NBN will be directly responsible for the creation of up to 20,000 new jobs. Some of the many companies that have already benefited from NBN Co. contracts include Fujitsu, Silcar, Corning, Prysmian, Warren and Brown, B&R Wrecking and Tyco Electronics. But the NBN is about more than fibre in the ground. The NBN is a platform for driving improved productivity in every business and every household.

Earlier this month Deloitte Access Economics released a report on the power of the internet that estimated its direct contribution to the Australian economy is worth around $50 billion. It is anticipated that the NBN will be a catalyst to drive growth with the value estimated to be $70 billion over the next five years. It has found that the internet has direct benefits to the economy as well as indirect benefits to consumers such as convenience, increased access to a variety of goods, services, informa­tion and time saving. More specifically focusing on Australia, Allen Consulting has estimated that, if the number of Australian households connected to the internet increased by 10 percentage points, this would provide gains to households of $2.4 billion. (Time expired)

Senator POLLEY (Tasmania—Deputy Government Whip in the Senate) (15:03): Mr President, I have a supplementary question. Can the minister please advise the Senate how the National Broadband Network rollout will provide access to those Australians in rural and remote areas of Australia and how this will enable them to remain engaged with their businesses and keep in touch with their families?

Senator CONROY (Victoria—Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity) (15:04): The Gillard government is proud of the investment we are making to ensure that the NBN is a truly National Broadband Network. On 1 July this year, NBN Co. launched its interim satellite service. Since then more than 300 homes and businesses have been connected to this new service in just over six weeks and the initial feedback from the first customers has been overwhelmingly positive.

Senator Brandis: 300!

Senator CONROY: You will choke on those interjections, Senator Brandis. The Oberon Review in rural New South Wales said on 28 July, just 28 days after the beginning, that O'Connell resident Julie Stott is using the NBN to design and maintain websites worldwide. (Time expired)

Senator POLLEY (Tasmania—Deputy Government Whip in the Senate) (15:05): Mr President, I have a further supplementary question. Can the minister advise the Senate of any enthusiastic requests for the National Broadband Network to be rolled out into local areas?

Senator CONROY (Victoria—Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity) (15:05): I thank the senator for her question again. Yesterday I revealed how the Queensland Nationals at their state conference in 2005 passed a resolution calling for—wait for it—uniform wholesale pricing as they wanted to ensure, 'all Australians are charged the same basic price for maintenance and new connections.'

Just last Friday the member for Brisbane, Ms Teresa Gambaro, was complaining that her constituents were not getting the rollout fast enough. We can now add to that list the coalition member for Swan in Western Australia, Mr Steve Irons, and Mr Rowan Ramsey, the member for Grey in South Australia, who were asking questions in parliament about the rollout in their electorates. This is no surprise for grassroots coalition MPs who know their constituents want the NBN. (Time expired)

Senator Chris Evans: Mr President, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.